Monday to Friday 8:30-5:30
Saturday 9:00-1:00
(Parts Closed 1st Sat in the month)
Sundays and after hours by appointment only

We have two MGA Roadsters to be rebuilt to order. These cars have been completely dismantled in preparation for complete restoration. They will be re-built from the chassis upwards in various stages, using traditional methods. You can choose your own specification from body colour, trim colour, tuning enhancements, etc. Please enquire for more details of this opportunity to own a bespoke MGA.

ADDRESS

KETTON GARAGE
DURHAM ROAD
DARLINGTON
County Durham
DL1 3LZ

email

Restoration

We offer a full and bespoke service for the restoration of your classic car. From a full 'nut & bolt' restoration to a partial rebuild or refurbishment; each project is complemented by a full photographic record. We offer FREE ESTIMATES on all repairs.

We have been at the forefront of classic car restoration for many years; returning these superb machines to their former glory through the application of extensive technical expertise and painstaking craftsmanship. Restoration, rebuilding, refurbishment or repair; whatever the need, we can fulfil it perfectly. We take pride in our ability to defeat the ravages of time and re-create automotive beauty. Within every corroded wreck there is a magnificent vehicle trying to escape. That's how we look at it - and we're experts at releasing these masterpieces to once more receive the admiration they deserve. We give every vehicle the detailed care and attention necessary to return it to it's original condition; and utilise traditional techniques of craftsmanship and tooling to complete the task; corroded or damaged panels are replaced with new bodywork, the rolling chassis, engine and gearbox are completely re-built, the electrical system is totally overhauled or replaced - and when all such major elements are once more as good as new, we progress to the paintwork, trim and chrome . . . after all 11 rebuild work stages the end result is a car that might just have driven straight out of the showroom.

1. DISMANTLING - The vehicle is completely dismantled, down to the chassis, before work commences.

3. CHASSIS - The dismantled chassis frame is then de-greased and sandblasted. All corroded metal is removed and new metal plated in. The chassis is then sealed, primed and given a final sealing cast of black enamel.

4. BODY/PANELWORK - The entire bodyshell is then sandblasted then set onto the chassis jig. All corroded metal is then cut out, with new body panels replaced as necessary. In this stage everything is lined up prior to the bodyshell being painted.

5. ROLLING CHASSIS - All the removed chassis components are bead-blasted and overhauled. All the mechanical parts are then added to the chassis - suspension, brake system, wiring harness, then the engine and gearbox are installed. The chassis is built up as much as possible before the bodyshell is fitted.

6. PAINTWORK - The complete bare metal shell is prepared by lead filling all the seams and all of the worked areas. It is then etched and primed, and several coats of body primer are applied. Each coat is rubbed-down in turn. Finally the primed shell is then given several coats of the finished colour.

7. BODYSHELL TO CHASSIS - All seals and gaskets are then fitted to the chassis. The shell is then lifted onto the chassis and bolted down; the front and rear wings aligned to the main shell.

8. ELECTRICS - The electrical stage involves the replacement of several components and the building of the dash with instruments. The shell is also completely re-wired, checked and tested.

9. CHROME WORK - This stage consiste of the assembly of all chrome components onto the main bodyshell; front and rear bumpers, front grille assembly and windscreen frame assembly. The majority of all chromework is replaced with new components.

10. TRIM - At this stage the vehicle is fitted out with all it's interior and exterior trim. This includes new carpets, new interior panels and seats rebuilt in top quality hide. The hood frame is completely rebuilt and fitted to the car, in line with the new sidescreens etc.

11. FINAL FITTING OUT - This final stage involves the fitting of all the finer detail items to the car and the adding of any accessories i.e. chrome luggage rack, seat belts, battery cut-out switch (anti-theft device), radio etc. In addition the vehicle is fully checked over and tested before being released.

We always have several vehicles available as projects for restoration, keep checking our PROJECTS page for our up to date stock of cars. Two MGA Roadsters to be restored by S.J.R. XYO 534 1959 MGA Roadster 1600 MK1, Chariot red, black trim, wire wheels. RNP 999 1956 MGA Roadster 1500, Old English white, black trim, steel wheels. We have two MGA Roadsters to be rebuilt to order. These cars have been completely dismantled in preparation for complete restoration. They will be re-built from the chassis upwards in various stages, using traditional methods. You can choose your own specification from body colour, trim colour, tuning enhancements, etc. Please enquire for more details of this opportunity to own a bespoke MGA. These two cars have been in dry storage for several years. MGA’s for restoration are fast increasing in value, and restoration projects are becoming increasingly hard to track down. MGA’s offer a good investment, and are a genuinely useable classic that will give many miles of classic motoring enjoyment.